by Kathleen Richardson

Created on: May 09, 2008   Last Updated: May 05, 2009

Most people have been approached by a friend or co-worker about helping with a fundraiser, running in a marathon, and some other way to volunteer.

Everyone who is not already volunteering needs to consider the possibility and the best time to do that is before the occasion arises. Instead of being caught off-guard and stammering about not having time, or saying "yes" when you mean "no", start thinking now. Take a look at your current commitments and assess your interest in volunteering in general, before someone brings up the idea.

You've been asked to volunteer ...

Let's assume that you've been caught off-guard and don't know what to say. It's okay to hedge a little, saying something like: "Yes, (people love to hear that Yes'!) that does sound interesting. I'll be glad to consider it for a few days. Could you contact me again on...?"

People of a persistent nature may insist that they have to have your immediate commitment. Avoid those types of decisions at all costs. Repeat yourself with a slight variation: "I can see that this is important to you, so I'm sure you can understand that my time and decisions are important to me. I'll be glad to consider the idea for a few days if you can contact me again on..."

To address those who are being downright pushy, try something like this: "I understand that this is important to you (sound familiar?). My time and my decisions are important to me. If you have to have an immediate answer, then it's no'."

Hopefully your friend or co-worker has the patience and understanding to back off for a few days. During that time you can do some serious thinking about whether or not you want to do the volunteering being asked of you and whether or not you have the time required.

What's needed and what can you give? ...

Are you being asked to help out one time such as a Sunday afternoon hosting your library's open house? Or, are you being asked to volunteer at the domestic abuse shelter for three hours every week?

You might think you can't squeeze one more commitment into your busy life, but everyone has time to volunteer. It's a matter of how much time and when. Take a look at a typical day or week in your life. How much time are you spending in front of the television or the computer? How many hours do you spend at the gym or dining out? Are you willing to give up something in your life in order to volunteer, because that's what may be required to fit in the time for volunteering. You can't be expected to give up time with your family, so find out if they can volunteer with you.

Once you realize you actually have the time to volunteer, ask yourself exactly how much time. For instance, can you spare four hours or fifteen minutes? Don't be discouraged, fifteen minutes counts! (Can you volunteer to drive a neighbor to an appointment and pick them up later?)

When considering more formal volunteering, keep in mind that you'll need to figure in travel time to and from any volunteer assignment. If your time is limited, be on the lookout for ideas for volunteering you can do from right in your home. (Do you know a homebound person who would appreciate a five-minute call each day?)

Take time to think ...

The next time you're wondering how to find time to volunteer, instead of making an immediate, impulsive choice to accept or turn down a volunteer request, delay your decision. Take time to look through your schedule, decide what you might need to give up to find time, and evaluate the needs of your family. Only then will you feel comfortable and confident that you've made a well-thought out decision.

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